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Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), are chronic conditions characterized by intestinal inflammation. Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), such as those involving anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies, have been noted as common comorbidities in IBD patients. Despite this, comprehensive data on anti-TPO antibodies' prevalence and clinical significance in IBD, particularly about disease type and location, remain limited. Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of anti-TPO antibodies among patients with IBD, primarily focusing on UC, and to compare these findings with the prevalence of anti-TPO antibodies in the general Iranian population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Amir Alam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, in 2022. The study included 98 patients diagnosed with IBD, using convenient sampling. Gender, age, anti-TPO levels, Free T4, and TSH were measured through questionnaires, serological tests, and imaging. Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, independent samples t-tests, and ANOVA, performed using SPSS software. Results: No significant differences were observed in anti-TPO levels between genders (p = 0.844). Additionally, no significant difference was found in Free T4 and TSH levels based on gender (p = 0.396 and p = 0.260, respectively). A significant correlation was identified between TSH levels and disease location (p < 0.05), while anti-TPO levels showed no significant correlation with disease type or location. Conclusion: The prevalence of anti-TPO antibodies in IBD patients was notable, with no significant differences observed between UC and CD or between genders. The study underscores the importance of regular thyroid function monitoring in IBD patients, particularly considering the significant association between TSH levels and disease location. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of thyroid dysfunction in IBD.